Study and work in Poland

Poland is an eastern European country located on the Baltic Sea known for its medieval architecture and Jewish heritage. Warsaw, the capital, has shopping and nightlife, plus the Warsaw Uprising Museum, honoring the city’s WWII-era resistance to German occupation. In the city of Kraków, 14th-century Wawel Castle rises above the medieval old town, home to Cloth Hall, a Renaissance trading post in Rynek Glówny (market square).

The Capital is Warsaw ;Dialing code: +48 largest city Warsaw; 52°13′N 21°02′E / 52.217°N 21.033°E . The Poland Currency is known as Polish złoty ane the Official language is Polish

For citizens of a country, which is a member of the European Union or European Economic Area you will have absolutely no problems finding and pursuing a career in Poland. But the circumstances seem unfortunately more difficult for citizens of other countries, as they need work permits.

Although one should not have much trouble with obtaining one, it is another formality to fulfill. However, from now the situation is going to be much easier for the academics from abroad thanks to the ordinance of the Polish Minister of Labor.

Until now foreign students and graduate students studying in Poland on the basis of visa and having no work permit were allowed to work here exclusively in holiday months: July, August and September. Since now not only are they allowed to work the whole year round, but also the academics living in Poland and having no work permit are allowed to give guest lecturers (for 30 days a year). Until now it was possible only for the academics living abroad.

This substantial change in formal regulations is a very good news for students coming to Poland, especially from Ukraine, as due to the political situation some of the families might have lost the ability to support their studying children. Generally all of the students will now be able to work and hence support themselves financially while pursuing higher education, visa being enough a basis. Moreover, students taking the chance will gain precious practical experience, which is then sought by the employers. Students will not be forced to limit themselves to internships, but it is now legal for them search for a more steady and responsible job.

The benefit from new policy is not only students will. Players who can gain a lot are Polish universities, which will soon feel the results of population decline. Favorable work regulations can attract more students from abroad and help fill the gap. Another positive result of more incoming students would be internationalization to which Polish academic societies are very open.

However, the Employers will not lose either. More loose law regarding work permits means less trouble in case they want to employ student or graduate student from outside the EU or EEA. These employees are valuable for enterprises as they often know various languages and can contribute their distinct experience. Greater competition on the work market can potentially cause improvement in provision of services.

In addition, when students are allowed to work throughout their entire study time, which lasts on average 5 years they are more probable to find job and company, which will truly suit them and hence stay for good. It means they do not export education and experience gained here but they contribute to the economy. It is important for the employers as well as for the state.

Foreigners living in Poland are now able to give occasional lectures (30 days a year) without the necessity of obtaining work permit. It will allow avoiding bureaucracy for everyone willing to share their knowledge and experience.

In summary, the new developments are going in a very positive direction and they appear potentially beneficial for everyone. In this day and period the legislation ought to follow the dynamics in the world that becomes more and more intermixed and open

Chances of getting Job

Poland was one of the only European countries that did not suffer greatly from the recent economic recession, but it still has many employment problems. Salaries are low and unemployment has long been a problem for young people, women and for those who live in populated areas and large cities.

There has been recent growth in the country, with opportunities in IT, finance, HR, business services and management. Foreign investment and plans to privatise some sectors means that Poland is one of the fastest developing EU countries. You will need to have an excellent grasp of Polish to secure a job.

It may be relatively easy to find part-time or temporary work, but securing a full-time graduate level role may be more difficult, particularly with the high unemployment rate that Poland faces.

. A lot of graduates, even from the best universities in Poland, have difficulties in finding a good job.

To improve your chances of getting a good job in Poland, try to gain extra qualifications and work experience.

work situation in Poland

Average working hours: working hours should not exceed eight hours per day, or 40 hours in a five day working week. Overtime hours are possible, as is night-time work (classed as between 9pm and 7am).

Holidays: annual leave is accrued after the first month of work. Employees who have worked for a year or more are entitled to at least 20 days paid annual leave, 26 days if they have worked for more than 10 years.

Tax rates: Poland’s tax system is progressive; the higher the income, the higher the rate of tax. The rate of income tax paid is 18% if you earn up to 85,528 PLN. If you earn over 85,528 PLN you pay 32% in income tax. Don’t forget to check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.

When Applying for jobs

Both foreign and Polish jobseekers can use the services of the Polish District Labour Offices to help find employment. These can be found in many of the major towns and you’ll need to register by taking in your education certificates, any work-related certificates and personal ID. Opportunities through the District Labour Offices may be limited however and you may find better results with private recruitment agencies.

You can also apply for jobs online through recruitment websites, which can be done from outside of Poland. However, you may need to visit the country for some of the interview stages.

Applications are typically made with a CV and covering letter similar to those used in the UK. The covering letter should be tailored for the individual company stating why you’d like to work in Poland and how your skills and interests match the job advertised. Get more applications and CV advice.

Most recruiters will expect applications in Polish and you should write in this language unless the company has said they’ll accept applications in English (or another language).

The interview process is similar to that in the UK and varies depending on the employer. You may be asked to take your certificates or references along to the interview; if you do make sure you find out if they should be translated into Polish.

Will Your UK Qualifications be Acknowledged?

Following the Bologna Process and the creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), UK qualifications are usually recognized by an employer.

Sources of Vacancy

Job websites

Most jobs are advertised in Polish and relevant websites include:

Careerjet.pl

Info Praca

Praca.pl

Pracuj

Adverts in English are available from EURES – European Job Mobility Portal.

Work Recruitment agencies

National and corporate members are listed at World Employment Confederation.

Newspapers

Gazeta Wyborcza – features a job supplement ‘praca’ on Mondays

Rzeczpospolita – job supplement on Wednesdays

Warsaw Business Journal – has a careers section

Zycie Warszawy – job supplement on Wednesdays

Jobs are also advertised on local daily newspapers.

Other sources

Speculative applications are acceptable across the job market and are particularly effective for jobs in science.

Acquiring work experience

Erasmus+ is the EU program for education, training, youth and sport for 2014-2020 and covers student exchange, work experience and volunteering opportunities. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can study abroad for 3 to 12 months. Erasmus+ also provides opportunities for work experience for students to learn new skills or languages, as well as volunteering in different countries for between 2 weeks and 12 months.

Work placements and internships

Course-related placements starting in the summer, lasting from four weeks up to one year for undergraduates of science, engineering, technology and applied arts courses, are available with IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience).

Professional internships in management, technology, education and development are available from 6 weeks–18 months through AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales).

You can search for various placements in Poland on Europlacement.

Many international companies may offer internships and it is worth looking at their individual websites.

Teaching Structure

English native speakers are often needed for teaching English as a foreign language in state and private schools. Opportunities may be available through ELS-Bell School of English and Promar–International.

Casual work

Casual work is most often found in bars, restaurants, shops, childcare or cleaning. Seasonal work is also possible. Recruitment agencies and Polish District Labour Offices can help with finding short-term vacancies. Also try searching in employment sections in various national and local newspapers.

Gap year and volunteering opportunities

Poland occupies a central location in Europe with good railway connections making it a gateway to both Western and Eastern European countries. iGapyear lists gap year projects available in Poland.

There are various opportunities for volunteering in Poland:

Polish Humanitarian Organization helps communities in crisis, both in Poland (regions that have suffered flooding, for example) and abroad (some of the projects were carried out in Somalia and Syria).

Polish Work Camps has camps throughout the country which cover various activities.

Volunteer Abroad offers a list of volunteer programs around the globe, including Poland.

Visa information

Citizens from EU countries don’t need a visa to enter or work in Poland. If you plan to stay for longer than three months you will need to register with the local ‘voivodeship’ office which will issue you with a temporary residence card. These are usually issued for up to two years and you may be able to apply for an extension at the end of it.

You may have to prove you have health insurance – or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – and sufficient money or funds to cover the cost of your stay. Further information can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

If you’re from a non-EU country, contact the Polish embassy in the country where you’re currently living for information on whether you require a visa or work permit. If you’re living in the UK, go to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.

How do you become a permanent resident?

A person is eligible to apply for citizenship of Poland if they have resided in the country as a lawful permanent resident for at least five years. More information is available from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London.

Stay in Poland

Cost of living: it’s less expensive in Poland than in other EU member states, although income also tends to be lower. Students can typically get 50% discount on public transport with a valid student ID card. Costs are highest in Warsaw and other large cities.

Internet domain: .pl

Currency: Zloty (PLN)

Health: the Polish healthcare system is state-financed through the National Health Fund (NFZ) and everyone who is working in Poland is required to contribute to it. People who contribute and who are covered by the national health insurance system receive free primary health care. If you’re an EU citizen, you should make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling to Poland. This entitles you to state-provided medical treatment. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Polish nationals, so if a Polish national has to pay a fee for treatment, you’ll also have to pay a fee.

Type of government: parliamentary republic

Laws and customs: you are not allowed to drink in public places. If you’re found by the police to be drunk in a public place you may be taken to a drying-out clinic and won’t be released until you’re sober. You will be required to pay for the stay at the clinic. Always cross roads at designated crossing points as jay-walking is an offence and results in a fine.

Work attitude of the Polish People

Polish people are hardworking, often look angry and drink a lot. These are stereotypes. But is there some truth in this? Is this something that can be explained? What’s it like to work with Polish people?

As you know, I’m not a fan of stereotyping or drawing conclusions on the basis of generalisations. I am however a fan of frameworks and structures that help us understand the world around us. I also believe that where and how and with whom we grow up has a massive impact on who we become in the future. Today I’d like to give a couple of thoughts on what you might be experiencing when working with Polish people and where certain behaviours might come from.

A quick disclaimer: The below reflects on the commonly heard opinions about Polish people, common behaviours and mindsets. This does not mean that you can’t find people with opposite characteristics to those described in Poland. You can!

If you’re not so much after understanding the background and just want condensed tips for working with Polish people then scroll all the way down.

So what do we often hear about Polish people?

“Polish people are great employees, they work really hard and are reliable”

Background: Polish history has been rather turbulent most of the time. Poland experienced a lot of wars, occupation and fighting for identity and independence. There are thoughts passed from generation to generation that you need to work hard to make a living, that if you don’t work you don’t have food to put on the table, that it’s important to get educated as people treat you better then. This might not necessarily always be true, but is a general tendency of messaging that a young Pole gets while growing up.

What you might expect when working with Poles: There’s a high chance that (whatever profession) your Polish employee will try to do their best and show that they are capable. They might sometimes obviously complain about their boss, but they will generally do as they are told.

Tip for bosses/managers working with Poles: The status and recognition are important and so as a boss you should ensure that the hard work is being noticed. Whether it will be a public or just personal recognition would need to depend on a personal preference of a person, but definitely don’t forget to appreciate the commitment.